Except for very young children, who needed extra protection from evil spirits, boys and girls dressed much the same way as their parents.

Until about the age of five, boys and girls wore poncho-like garments (kurte) like this example. They were often embellished with amulets (this piece has a simple triangular-shaped amulet called a “doga” sewn on the back. Often kurtes like this are “gussied-up” with lots of recent amulets in order to make them more appealing to buyers.

The bottom hems of kurtes were deliberately left unfinished to ensure that the child would continue to thrive and grow.

If you are interested in this child’s kurte and would like more information please contact Susan Meller.